Recycle Utah

Nonprofit Summit County, Utah Recycling Center

zerowaste@recycleutah.org

Ocean Awareness

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One may ask, “Why should I care about the ocean since I live in Utah?”. While the blue horizon
may not be visible to us, our daily actions ultimately affect the air we breathe, partially derived from the ocean. Our 70% blue planet regulates climate and weather patterns, sequesters heaps of carbon dioxide, is an energy resource, and provides millions of jobs, food, medicine, recreation, and energy resources. Read on for ways to keep our oceans healthy:

  1. Buy Sustainable Seafood: Look for the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Blue Fish
    label that identifies overfishing, conservation of essential and depleting fish habitat,
    minimizing ‘bycatch’ and protected species and creation of prosperous fishing
    communities. Currently, only 1/5 of all marine catch is MSC certified. Ask about the Blue
    Fish label at restaurants and the grocery and download the Seafoodwatch.org guide.
  2. Support Ecological Farming Methods: Sadly, animal waste, fertilizers, and pesticides can
    be washed into our waterways and eventually to sea through irresponsible farming
    methods. Buy organic, learn where your food comes from (or grow your own), and ask
    about ocean-friendly farming methods.
  3. Minimize Plastic Use: It’s estimated that by 2050 our oceans will contain more plastic
    than fish by weight mainly from plastic bags, bottles, food containers and synthetic
    fishing ropes. Microplastics affect the ability of marine microorganisms, including
    essential phytoplankton, to absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. A plastic-clogged
    and warming ocean will hurt plant and animal life, and ultimately humans.
    Our ocean is a powerful carbon sink and an economic and recreational paradise. Our lack of awareness could limit future generations in numerous ways. Let’s change that.

By Mary Closser

Green Banking

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As the saying goes, “Money makes the world go ‘round.” And if you’re looking for a simple New Year’s resolution with outsized impact – take a look at your money. 
 
Even if you can’t afford an EV or don’t want to put solar panels on your roof, switching your
bank is something anyone can do. Where we bank and invest our money matters – and there
are a growing number of options that offer “climate positive” banking.
 
For example, Atmos Bank offers checking and savings accounts (and now, solar loans) with
100% of your money funding clean energy, electrification, and other climate-positive products.


In addition to mobile banking, free ATM withdrawals, a good savings rate, and up to 5% cash
back when you buy from climate-friendly companies, you get an impact report – $5,000 will save 5.85 tons of CO2 a year, the equivalent of not driving 13,169 miles.
 
Local credit unions are also a great option, in addition to more than 30 banks featured by “Bank For Good,” and Carbon Collective for your 401K. But if you bank with one of the big banks, your money is funding the fossil fuel industry. The biggest 60 banks in the world have invested $4.6 trillion in the fossil fuel industry since 2015. As climate activist Bill McKibben says, for any American with more than $125,000 in the mainstream banking system, it’s likely producing more carbon in a year than all the actions of their daily life. 

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that help you save money, time, and the planet.

By Anna Robertson, The Cool Down 
 

Power Down Your Roof Top Heat

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The cost of turning on rooftop heat tape in late fall and running it continuously until spring is easy, but it’s certainly not energy-efficient or cheap. You may be in for a $60+ increase in your monthly electric bill. On the other hand, running a system programmed for optimal operation time will cut that increase, perhaps in half. To install this kind of “part-time” deicing tape system, do some research first, and hire a professional.

  • Learn about the 2 types of heat cable—constant wattage and selfregulating, investigate radiant heat panels, and how to use a thermostat and/or timer effectively.
  • Run the cable loops in such a way that snow and ice on the roof and the gutter edges melts and drains.
  • Turn the system on at the season’s first significant snowfall. Then run it before snow is anticipated to warm up the cables and begin the melting process when the snow falls.
  • Have cable heated when temperatures are between 10 and 34 degrees which is when most ice dams form.
  • Set the system to operate during daylight hours to promote melting using less heat. If it’s necessary, run the system for periods of 24 hours.
  • Control the thermostat of a constant-wattage de-icing system based on real-time weather events using an app. Get serious about running an energy-efficient home rooftop heat tape system. Watch what goes on your roof and in your gutters this winter and plan for a more energy-efficient system next year.

By Bev Harrison

A Sustainable Holiday Season

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The holiday season is a time for joy, laughter, and memories. However, the holiday season can be one of the most wasteful times… Americans throw away 25% more trash during the Thanksgiving to New Year’s holiday period than any other time of year. According to a Stanford study, this extra waste “amounts to 25 million tons of garbage or about 1 million extra tons per week.” There are a few things we can do to help bring this number down for the upcoming holiday season. 

You can’t have a great holiday feast without doing the grocery shopping for it. When shopping, however, it is important to use reusable bags. If you do end up using plastic bags, they do not belong in your curbside bin. You can bring them to Recycle Utah.

The holiday season is also a time when many are upgrading their electronics, such as phones, TV, appliances, and more. It is important not to throw outdated devices into the trash; they contain toxic substances such as lead and mercury that can harm surrounding environments, wildlife, and even humans if left to degrade in landfills. Rather, bring them to a local recycler who accepts them, such as Recycle Utah! They have a list of acceptable electronic items on their website. 

Overall, sustainability during the holiday season is incredibly important. Considering about 80 percent of what is thrown away during the holidays can be recycled or repurposed, sustainable practices should be on everybody’s mind. 

By Pearson Ehrich

Air Travel

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Last weekend while judging a local high school debate tournament, the affirmative team promoted enhancing communication amongst NATO allies to prevent wars and other global conflicts. They suggested ZOOM calls and other forms of virtual communication rather than traveling for in-person meetings. It got me think about air travel.

Air travel is expensive. If you were to compare Park City, Utah to Garden City, Kansas, the ratio of air trips per person would be significantly higher for Park City simply due to affluency. Many Park City folks travel regularly, sometimes monthly because they can. The beach, retreats, visiting friends and family, other ski resorts, and the list goes on…

When my friends from New Zealand visited me years ago, they had a hard time leaving Utah’s canyons and landscapes. Do we not realize and appreciate what we have in our own backyard? Not to mention the culture and natural gems that can be found in our neighboring states. The car, especially a fuel-efficient or electric one, will always trump the carbon footprint of a commercial plane seat.

Many now accept climate change and even claim to be eco-minded, but how many of our actions reflect our acceptance and desire to change? We may recycle and compost, reduce our energy and water usage, adapt our diet to eat less meat, buy more organic food and local products to reduce our footprint, but what about carbon-intensive “elephant in the room” air travel? Perhaps it’s time to alter our travel desires to local destinations and nix some business trips for the Zoom room. If NATO can do it, surely we can. 

By Mary Closser

Sustainable Holiday Planning

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The holidays are upon us and being green can require foresight. Americans throw away 25% more trash and 33% more food between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Read on for tips to keep your sustainability in check this holiday season:

  1. Gifts: Support our local economy, less packaging and a lower carbon footprint by buying local verses online. Buy local gift cards and experiences at favorite restaurants, movies or spas. Bake, knit, frame photos, make jewelry or fun playlists. Shop at thrift stores.
  2. Gift Wrap: Use old comics, maps or reusable fabrics for a fun twist. Save bows, ribbons and gift boxes for next year.
  3. Energy: Use only LED holiday lights inside and out for energy efficiency, financial savings and also to generate less heat on trees and garland. And, recycle old electronics.
  4. Transportation: Errands galore! Try to hit as many stops as possible in one trip rather than a few every day. Try the bus – make a NO CAR pledge day. Be smart and organized, and don’t forget the cloth reusable bags!
  5. Tree: Buy sensibly. Many lot-filled trees have been sprayed so ask questions. Obtain a permit to cut a tree or buy a new houseplant to decorate. Fake trees are okay if you can commit to storing and using it for 20+ years. Lastly, always compost your tree through the local program at a community drop-off. 

This holiday – and beyond – have a closer look at what you buy for yourself and others. Like dominoes, our day-to-day efforts will start to spiral towards a positive result if we all partake.

By Mary Closser